Friday, May 25, 2012

You might remember that the beginning of my year was spent collaging, and collaging some more. Most were intended for the 14th International Collage Exchange, or 'ICE', although I kept some for various reasons.The twelve I received in exchange came from all over, though mostly the USA. Many were from VERY well established artists, but I am delighted to add all to my collection. Here they are:

I also bought the following one, before I knew that I already had one of Elaine's in the swap. Not that it would have made any difference as I LOVE the way she has used the inside of business envelopes to construct this.

Cock Of The Walk - Elaine Johnson

Perhaps these will inspire any collagists out there in blogland to sign up for next year. Go on.... I dare you.

Thursday, May 24, 2012

My monthly photographic challenge for In The Picture is 'big world, tiny you'. and as always it makes me think about my camera use. I'm no star, and my methods are crude, but there's always PhotoShop.

In My Garden

Thank heavens for cameras with a delay. I set mine up with a 10 sec delay then hurtled down the back garden and tried to look 'composed'. This is actually the view from my studio, but hey... shouldn't I be looking at my easel/workbench?

I did take several shots including the following. PhotoShopped of course.

﻿

'Becoming' the garden

Rather like the thought that the garden and I are 'one'.

For info on this photographic challenge see Urban Muser... and why don't you join up?

Tuesday, May 22, 2012

A lot happens in two days. After my previous post about rejection, I have sold a work and been selected as a finalist in a very prestigious award exhibition. It just goes to show....never give up.

TORSO - sold

This sold at the annual Immanuel Arts Festival. I enter every year, have sold something most years, and won a prize once.

The following was an unsuccessful painting from The Ekka (The Royal Queensland Show) that, after no success there, was reworked. I often do this. When a painting fails to achieve there is usually room for improvement. It is part of my learning and improving process.

STAIRWAY TO PARADISE - 60 x 60 cm acrylics on canvas

The painting is a finalist in this year's Lethbridge 10000. I couldn't be more delighted if I tried... right on top of my SCAP rejection too. Both prizes attract artists from all over the country, so my work will be hanging among the best. If it looks OK, I know I'm on the right track.

Saturday, May 19, 2012

It is part of an artist's lot to be rejected every so often. You could say it's character-building, but mostly it's just disappointing. However, when I enter a really prestigious show, such as the Sunshine Coast Art Prize, that attracts professional artists from all over the country it is only to be expected. They receive hundreds of entries from which only 40 are chosen. It wont stop me from trying every year tho'.

Thursday, May 3, 2012

It might seem that I am doing little else other than photography lately... feels like that to me. Despite appearances tho' I am still working away, whenever I get the chance, with brush in hand... or other implements like fingers, sticks, chook feathers, grout spreaders, etc.

Have a few works 'in progress'. Often I find it easier to give them a title than finish them.

﻿

SIGNS OF THE TIMES - acrylic and enamel on canvas 45 x 45 cm

My object with this work was to give the feeling of people disappearing into the background, overwhelmed by an assortment of meaningless signs (my comment on advertising). The wonderful crackle is a reaction between the acrylics and the acrylic enamel (housepaint). This, to me, represents the passing of time and, perhaps on a personal level, my aging. As you age, you seem to disappear. You shrink, your youthfulness erodes, and sales assistants ignore you.

Maybe it sounds gloomy, but hey, what about the colour? Warm, optimistic, slightly subdued.... just like me. LOL (I can hear you people who really know me, giggling).

﻿This includes rust-dyed fabric, odd rusty bits of metal that I got at the recycling depot, and acrylic paint. I wanted a 'graffiti on old walls' feel. Did I get it?

Of course, I occasionally revert to old habits, artistically speaking, and you might recognise the subject of the following work that is actually on the easel.

At the moment it is simply underpainting and will undoubtedly change enormously before the signature goes on, but you get the picture. Poor creature patiently waiting for... something?... rain perhaps, although we are getting plenty of that at present.